After the second day of play created several logjams in the standings of the two groups at the Under-18 European Baseball Championship, clarity began to emerge on Day 3, as the trio of undefeated teams won again and three countries were eliminated from semifinal consideration.
Germany, which leads the tournament in runs scored and has allowed the second-fewest (tied with Italy), benefitted from a longball by Simeon Lindt. A day after hitting a walk-off grand slam, Jules Moser picked up the win in relief. The Netherlands continued its stingy approach—allowing three runs in three games—with Tyrick Geerman offering the latest strong start, punching out seven in four innings. Meanwhile, similarly undefeated Italy took advantage of seemingly every chance against Austria, which out-hit the Azurri. However, the Italians turned two double plays and stranded an additional half a dozen Austrian runners.
France and Great Britain remained in the hunt for a playoff spot in Group A, with Les Bleus negating 10 Israel baserunners through strong defence, including a pair of twin killings. Matteo Manaranche was effectively wild over the final 3.1 innings, giving up five walks but only one hit, and sending down five on strikes. Meanwhile, GB Baseball was relentless, scoring multiple runs in the first four innings and totalling 12 hits, half for extra bases, along with five walks, and stealing 11 bases. Sam White bashed a homer and a double, while Charlie Battista permitted a single hit over a four shutout frames for the win.
Finally, in the other remaining Group B contest, Spain kept itself in semifinal consideration with a five-inning blanking of Belgium. Adrián Cendros and Josuel Solano combined on a three-hit shutout.
Box scores can be found here [link]. Our coverage of the U18 Baseball Euros includes: Preview [link], Day 1 [link], Day 2 [link].
Group A Schedule and Results
July 15
Hungary 1 – Great Britain 11 (6)
Israel 1 – France 7
Austria 4 – Italy 12
July 16
Austria – France
Hungary – Israel
Great Britain – Italy
Group B Schedule and Results
July 15
Czech Republic 2 – Germany 10
Poland 1 – Netherlands 12 (5)
Belgium 0 – Spain 10 (5)
July 16
Netherlands – Germany
Czech Republic – Spain
Poland – Belgium
Group A Standings
| Team | W-L | RF | RA |
| Italy | 3-0 | 29 | 9 |
| France | 2-1 | 20 | 14 |
| Great Britain | 2-1 | 29 | 19 |
| Austria | 1-2 | 27 | 26 |
| Hungary | 1-2 | 18 | 28 |
| Israel | 0-3 | 5 | 32 |
Group B Standings
| Team | W-L | RF | RA |
| Germany | 3-0 | 36 | 9 |
| Netherlands | 3-0 | 29 | 3 |
| Spain | 2-1 | 20 | 10 |
| Czech Republic | 1-2 | 21 | 27 |
| Belgium | 0-3 | 3 | 38 |
| Poland | 0-3 | 13 | 35 |